Board Meetings

UPCOMING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING        
2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025
Central Platte NRD office, 215 Kaufman Ave. Grand Island, NE
Please check back on Friday, December 12, 2025, for a preliminary agenda.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES     

Static Groundwater Level Report Shows Overall Improvement in Central Platte NRD
Luke Zakrzewski, GIS Image Analyst, presented the fall groundwater level report at the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. Of the 414 wells measured between spring and fall 2025, 225 showed declines while 189 recorded increases. Zakrzewski noted that it is typical for groundwater levels to drop from spring to fall due to irrigation season drawdown. The wells showing increases are generally located in areas that recharge quickly, most commonly shallow wells found east of Grand Island along and north of Highway 30 to Silver Creek, as well as in western portions of the District between Gothenburg and Kearney where canal systems support groundwater replenishment. These results reflect improvement compared to two years ago, when only 55 wells recorded increases and 331 declined.

A year-to-year comparison also indicates positive trends. From fall 2024 to fall 2025, 93 wells showed declines while 314 demonstrated increases. Zakrzewski explained that fall-to-fall comparisons provide a clearer indication of long-term trends, and current data shows overall district-wide improvement. A few areas continue to recover more slowly, including GWMAs 9B and 12, along with adjacent GWMAs 10, 13, and 14.

As part of the CPNRD Groundwater Management Program, staff measures water levels in irrigation observation wells and dedicated monitoring wells bi-annually. On average, 405 wells have been assessed annually since 2000. Fall readings are not used in groundwater management decisions.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Auditor Report
The Board approved the 2024/2025 audit findings as presented by Jake Klabenes, CPA and Audit Director at Core CPAs.

Building and Executive Committee
The Committee reviewed options for the sale of a 157-acre dryland cropland tract known as the Schroeder Property, located six miles southeast of Cozad. At the Board’s direction, staff will contact auctioneers to obtain information on fees and processes required to list the property for sale. In 2022, the Board reviewed management options to maximize hydrologic benefits, and the tenant was notified that the acres would be converted to dryland to retire irrigation and secure 107 acre-feet of credit back to the Platte River. In 2023, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (now Department of Water, Energy and Environment) reimbursed CPNRD for 60% of the Platte River benefit, totaling $468,308. Vogt noted that the pivot bridges will be offered for sale separate from the land.

Weed Barrier Contractor Agreement
The Board approved an agreement with Ron Brockmann of Doniphan to complete weed barrier installation for landowners through CPNRD’s Weed Barrier Program. The fabric weed barrier allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil effectively, while offering long-lasting protection against weeds. CPNRD has sold 633 miles of weed barrier since 1991.

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Request
The Board denied a request from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to open the B-1 Reservoir in Dawson County for archery deer and spring turkey hunting. CPNRD policy does not allow hunting on flood reduction projects managed by the District.

New Office and Education Center
The Board approved the Building Committee’s recommendations on the following:

- McCullough Creative Contract: The Board approved a $750,000 contract with McCullough Creative of Dubuque, IA, to design an interactive plan, fabrication, and installation of design elements and interactive displays for the education space within the new building. Phases of the project include:

• Lead the interpretive planning and content development process
• Provide the conceptual renderings that visualize the full exhibit experience
• Finalize concepts and produce final elevations along with shop drawings
• Coordinate the graphic design, fabrication, and installation of the exhibit elements
• Work closely with the CPNRD throughout to ensure the plan aligns with its vision and goal partner with the JEO Consulting Group/ieDesign and CPNRD teams

- Appliance Contract: The Board approved an $8,605.86 quote from Ken’s Appliance of Grand Island to provide dishwashers, microwaves, an electric range, an icemaker, and refrigerators for the new office. Bid requests were also sent to Nebraska Furniture Mart and Schaefer’s in Lincoln; however, no quotes were received from either vendor.

Manager’s Report
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:

- Spring Creek Watershed Public Meeting - CPNRD held a public meeting on November 13^th in Lexington to present the draft Watershed Plan-EA and allow for public comment for the Spring Creek Watershed under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Draft Watershed Plan-EA and a comment form can be downloaded at: www.cpnrd.org/comment-period-open-spring-creek-water-draft-plan. Comments will be accepted through December 5, 2025.

- NiRIA Deadline Extension - The deadline to sign up for Nebraska’s Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) program has been extended to December 15, 2025. NiRIA provides financial incentives to farmers who reduce nitrogen fertilizer use. The Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) updated the NiRIA guidance for the 2026 cropping season. Farmers interested in applying should visit the DWEE’s website for details: https://dnr.nebraska.gov and search for Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Program or contact Collin Quandt (308) 395-7072 or cquandt@cpnrd.org.

- Perkins County Canal - Vogt reported that the 60% design for the Perkins County Canal is nearing completion, and the state will begin applying for permits from the Corps of Engineers, which will likely take two years to complete. An Environmental Impact Study is expected. Once the permitting process is underway, construction plans for the canal will be made public.

Nebraska Association of Resources District (NARD)
Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, reported the following actions from the NARD Board of Directors recent meeting:
- Funding Requests -  Funding was approved for Nebraska FFA, the Nebraska Ag Youth Institute, and Nebraska Women in Agriculture.

- Employee Benefits -  A new vision coverage plan with BlueVision was approved. NARD is also offering a 457 Roth Option to employees. The CPNRD Board approved the resolution to provide this option for its staff.

- Longitude 103 - The Board approved moving forward with Phase II of Longitude 103’s contract. The project aims to enhance ProducerConnect and HydroData software platforms.

- Executive Travel Partnership - The Board approved $50,000 in cost-share with Executive Travel of Lincoln for its ETGreen initiative, which aims to plant one million trees to reduce the travel industry's environmental impact. Executive Travel pledges to plant one tree for every plane ticket sold and partners with Nebraska’s NRDs to source and plant the trees statewide. Over the past two years, the partnership has resulted in the planting of 111,232 trees.

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (NRC)
Doug Reeves, Middle Platte Basin Representative, reported that Matt Matting, DWEE Civil Engineer, provided a presentation at the NRC’s recent meeting. Additional updates included progress on the Mead cleanup effort and land acquisition for the Perkins County Canal project.

Financial Report
The November financial report will be considered at the December Board meeting.

Cost-Share Programs
The Board approved well decommissioning applications for seven wells totaling $5,000.00 through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program.

Upcoming Board Meetings 
December 18 (2:00 p.m.), January 22 (1:00 p.m.), February 26 (2:00 p.m.)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
OCTOBER 23, 2024

Central Platte NRD Board Approves Vadose Study
The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors approved entering into an interlocal agreement for a three-year vadose study with the Lower Loup and Upper Big Blue NRDs at their monthly meeting on Thursday. The study aims to improve understanding of how fertilizer application practices affect nitrate movement and leaching through root zone between the land surface and the groundwater table. Results will help the districts develop more effective nutrient management strategies to protect groundwater quality. Under the proposed agreement, the Lower Loup NRD (LLNRD) will serve as the lead sponsor, providing 50% of the sponsor’s cost, not to exceed $210,400 in cash. The Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs will each reimburse LLNRD for 25% of the sponsor’s costs, not to exceed $105,200 in cash, unless additional costs are mutually agreed upon.

Central Platte NRD Board meetings are held at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month (unless stated otherwise) at the CPNRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, NE 68803.

AGENDA/OTHER ACTION ITEMS

New Director
Luke Ourada of Elm Creek was introduced as the newly appointed director for Subdistrict 3. His appointment will run through December 2026.

New Office and Education Center
The Board received an update on the new office building and education center and approved the Building Committee's following recommendations on the following:

• Maintenance Building - Rogge Construction was selected to construct a 60’ x 145’ maintenance building at the site. Of the seven bids received, Rogge Construction had the low bid of $1,269,000.00.
• Change Order #5 - A change order from Rogge Construction was approved in the amount of $6,666.00 for changes to galvanized railing, structural steel changes and a deduction of audio/video equipment.

Overton FFA Presentation
Overton FFA students Paige Walahoski, Toby Orvis, and Mason Dutro joined the CPNRD Board meeting via Zoom to present their competition topic in preparation for the National FFA Convention later this month. The team, led by advisor Juliana Loudon, will represent Nebraska in the Environment and Natural Resources contest in Indianapolis and used the presentation to sharpen their skills and gain additional public speaking experience. The Board wished the students well as they practiced and prepared for the national contest.

Manager’s Report
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:

• Schroeder Property - Manager Lyndon Vogt reported that the 157-acre Schroeder property, located six miles southeast of Cozad, will be sold as dryland cropland. The NRD purchased the tract in 2018 to pursue Platte River credit opportunities, including groundwater recharge achieved through the retirement of irrigated acres, potential transfers from the South Side Irrigation District canal, and direct discharge to the Platte River from an adjacent site.

In 2022, the Board reviewed management options to maximize hydrologic benefits, and the tenant was notified that the acres would be converted to dryland to retire irrigation and secure 107 acre-feet of credit back to the Platte River. In 2023, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources reimbursed CPNRD for 60 percent of the Platte River benefit, totaling $468,308. Vogt noted that the pivot bridges will be removed prior to the sale.

• Education Center - Vogt reported that staff has begun meeting with the design team from McCullough Creative of Dubuque, Iowa, to develop concepts for the displays and exhibits in the new education center.
• Perkins County Canal – Vogt reported that on July 16, 2025, Nebraska filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting that Colorado has violated the 1923 South Platte River Compact by interfering with Nebraska’s water rights and its right to construct the canal. A key issue raised by Nebraska is that Colorado has failed to protect Nebraska’s senior water rights from junior groundwater users.
• Interbasin Transfer Application – Vogt reported that the Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) has requested additional information from sponsors for the Platte River Republican River Transbasin Diversion application. In 2018, CPNRD filed a formal objection to DWEE (formerly NeDNR) concerning an interbasin transfer application submitted by Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to divert water from the Platte River to the Republican River.

In 2023, the Attorney General’s Office prepared and filed a brief on response, allowing partners to have the opportunity to file a reply brief in which NeDNR dismissed CPNRD as a third party-objector. A motion was also filed to bypass the Court of Appeals to take the appeal directly to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Partners of the appeal include CPNRD, Lower Loup NRD, and Loup Public Power District. The Nebraska Supreme Court stayed on its decision to not allow an NRD to have standing on a surface water diversion that is before the NeDNR, affirming the Order of Dismissal issued by the Department dismissing objections filed by Central Platte NRD, North Platte NRD, Lower Loup NRD, NPPD, Cozad Ditch Company, Loup River Power Public Power District and Audubon Society. In May 2024, the Department held a hearing to receive public testimony and written comments.

• Spring and Buffalo Creek Draft Watershed Plan – A public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the UNL Extension Office in Lexington to review the Spring and Buffalo Creek Draft Watershed Plan, which is currently at 30% design. The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) project, developed in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aims to reduce flood risks and improve long-term watershed resiliency within the Spring and Buffalo Creeks watershed in Dawson County. NRCS has provided technical assistance and guidance throughout the planning process, and the public meeting will give landowners and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more and provide input before the design progresses.

Nebraska Association of Resources District
CPNRD Representative Deb VanMatre reported that following the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) annual conference in Kearney, the Board voted to pay $130,000 toward the principal of the NARD building loan, reducing the remaining balance to $100,000.

Financial Report
The October financial report was approved.

Cost-Share
Two applications for prescribed burn and well decommissioning totaling $2,790.00 were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025

Central Platte NRD Board to Consider Vadose Zone Study
The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors will consider entering into an interlocal agreement for a three-year vadose zone study with the Lower Loup and Upper Big Blue NRDs at their monthly meeting on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The study aims to improve understanding of how fertilizer application practices affect nitrate movement and leaching through the vadose zone—the layer between the land surface and the groundwater table. Results will help the districts develop more effective nutrient management strategies to protect groundwater quality. Under the proposed agreement, the Lower Loup NRD (LLNRD) will serve as the lead sponsor, providing 50% of the sponsor’s cost, not to exceed $210,400 in cash. The Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs will each reimburse LLNRD for 25% of the sponsor’s costs, not to exceed $105,200 in cash, unless additional costs are mutually agreed upon.

The CPNRD Board meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the CPNRD office, 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island. The meeting is open to the public.

Board of Directors Meeting
2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025
Central Platte NRD Office, 215 Kaufman Ave. Grand Island NE

AGENDA

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call/Call to Order *

3. Excused Absences | Meeting Minutes | Public Forum

4.   New Board Member  Introduction: Luke Ourada, Subdistrict 3

5. Overton FFA Chapter Presentation  Juliana Louden, Instructor; Paige Walahoski (sophomore), Toby Orvis and Mason Dutro (juniors)

6. Natural Resources Conservation Service (possible report)   Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist; Janelle Taubenheim, Kearney Field Office

7. Building Committee   Consider bid proposals for construction of maintenance building. *   Consider a change order from Rogge General Contractors. *  Progress update on the new office and education center

8. Vadose Zone Study  Consider interlocal agreement with Lower Loup and Upper Big Blue NRDs *

9. Manager’s Report  Lyndon Vogt, General Manager

10. CPNRD/NSWCP Cost Share Applications *  Kelly Cole, Administrative Assistant

11. October Financial Report *

12. Nebraska Association of Resources Districts  Deb VanMatre, NARD Board Member

13. Natural Resources Commission Report  Doug Reeves, Middle Platte Basin Representative

14. Other As may develop before the Board meeting

September Board Action

Luke Ourada Appointed to Central Platte NRD Board

The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors appointed Luke Ourada of Elm Creek to fill the vacant seat in Subdistrict 3 during their September meeting. Ourada succeeds Steve Sheen who stepped down in June after serving on the Board for 18 years. Ourada will serve through December 2026 and must file for the February 2027 primary election to be considered for an additional four-year term.

Industrial Well Permit
The Board approved a new commercial-industrial well permit in Hall County with the following conditions:
1. Grand Island Hospital Holdings LLC must complete an approved transfer of irrigated acres to offset the new use within two years of drilling the well.
CPNRD will sell water to the permit holder for up to two years until the permanent offsets can be secured.

2. A District approved meter must be installed.

3. An annual report on the amount water pumped must be submitted to CPNRD.

New Office and Education Center
The Board approved the Building Committee’s recommendation to accept a bid proposal from i.e. Design of Lincoln for office furniture not to exceed $340,000. The Board also approved advertising for bids on a new 60’ x 145’ maintenance building at the office site, with a recommendation expected at the October meeting. Larger equipment and surplus furniture will be offered for sale to other NRDs that have already expressed interest.

Manager’s Report

• Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP): The Land Advisory Committee reported to the Governance Committee that populations of Whooping Cranes, Piping Plovers, and Least Terns have all increased, and the First Increment Goal for land acquisition is close to being met. The Land Plan aims to protect and restore 10,000 acres of habitat for these species.
• City of Gothenburg: CPNRD staff met with city officials regarding water needs for Project Meadowlark, a proposed $750 million liquid fertilizer facility. Meadowlark will serve farmers within a 150-mile radius and is projected to begin production in late 2028.

Nitrate Legacy & Drinking Water Committee
Director Tom Downey reported that three priorities under consideration include: implementing statewide meters, prohibiting fall fertilizer application, and expanding educational outreach for private well owners and municipalities.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Report
District Conservationist Joe Krolikowski presented a summary of FY2025 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) contracts in the District, totaling 39 contracts on 7,901.8 acres for $2.2 million. Resource Conservationist Jason Schulz also highlighted Small Scale Urban Projects, including high/low tunnels, irrigation practices, composting facilities, and nutrient/pest management.

Financial & Cost-Share Reports
The September financial report was approved. Three cost-share applications for burn preparation, prescribed burning, and cover crops were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and CPNRD cost-share programs totaling $8,324.

Upcoming Board Meetings
October 23, 2025
November 13, 2025
December 18, 2025